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(No Model.) 3 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. PPAUDLER.

I PRESSURE REGULATOR. No. 323,364. PatentedJuly 28, 1885.

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(No Model.)

I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. O. PFAUDLER.

PRESSURE REGULATOR. No. 323,364. Patented July 28, 1885.

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CASPER PFAUDLER, OF ROOHESTEPQNEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE PFAUDLEP VACUUM FERMENTATIUN COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PRES$URE-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 823,364, dated July 28,1885.

Application filed April17, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

ie it known that I, CASPER. PFAUDLER, of the city of I-tochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Pressure- Regulators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I is a central vertical section of the apparatus arranged as avacuum-regulator. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same arranged as apressure-regulator.

My improvement relates to asecondary pressure-regulator for gas, steam, liquid, 85c; but it is specially adapted for regulating the gas in beer-casks, and in equalizing the pressure in raising liquids, and is constructed and arranged as follows:

In the accompanying drawings, A shows a cylinder or case, which is divided crosswise by a flexible diaphragm, B, clamped tightly between two parts of the case, so as to beairtight. At the top is asecond diaphragm, C, also clamped ti ghtl yin place, so as to be air-tight. These diaphragms form two airchambers, a 7), one directly below the other, as shown, but having no communication with each other. In one side of the case are made two openings or ports, 0 d, which open respectively into the chambers to b, for a purpose presently to be described.

D is a crosc-pipe clamped on top of the case above the upper diaphragm, the same being hollow, leading over the diaphragm, and forming the attachment for the induction and eduction pipes E F.

f is a valve-seat extending down into the mouth of the cross-pipe a little distance above the upper diaphragm, but leaving a clear space for the passage of the draft. The side f extends up and joins with the top of the cross-pipe, cutting off passage above, while the side f joins with the casting on the opposite side, so that the draft is obliged to pass downward around the mouth of the valve-seat and above the diaphragm before it can escape, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1.

G is a stem clamped fast to the lower diaphragm, B, and extending up vertically to the upper diaphragm, G, where it is provided with a swiveling disk, g, which rests under the upper diaphragm, as shown, perferabl' t loosely; but, if desired, may be iermanently attached to the diaphragm. Under the diaphragm G is a space, 12, which allows freedom of motion, and also allows the pressure to act under the diaphragm.

H is a barrel attached to the casting on the under side of the lower diaphragm, extending down through the lower chamber, and-havin g a closed bottom, 1'. The barrel moves up and down with the diaphragm B and the stem G, being permanently connected with said parts, and not being attached at its bottom.

I is an adjusting-screw that passes up through the bottom of the case and through the barrel H, and is attached at its top by a screw-thread and nut to a washer, k, beneath which is a stiff spiral spring, I, that rests between the washer and the closed bottom of the barrel. By this means it will be seen that the tendency of the spring is to draw down on the main diaphragm B and oppose its risin g, and the tension may be increased or lessened at any time by turning the screw in one direction or the other. The screw has a head, m, outside, by which it is turned. A packingboX, j,is used atthe bottom of the case to pack the shank of the screw.

This apparatus is adapted to act either by vacuum or pressure. The arrangement for the vacuum apparatus is shown in Fig. 1, and for the pressure apparatus in Fig. 2. When used with vacuum, the pipe E is connected with the vacuum-pump, and the gas flows through the pipe F down around and through the valveseat, as indicated by the arrows, In this case a branch pipe, K, connects the upper chamber, a, by the opening 0, with the pipe F, as shown at the left in Fig. 1; but the opening (1 into the chamber 2) is left open to supply air to the chamber. The spring I is set at the proper tension and the vacunmpump is set in motion. As it draws the gas or other iiuid forward, italso draws through the branch pipe K and exhausts the chamber a, forming a vacuum therein; but atthe same time the air enters the chamber 1), and by its pressure raises the diaphragm B, which, by presenting greater surface than the upper diaphragm, G, closes the latter against the valvc-seatfand controls the flow of the gas to a given pressure. This degree is exactly graded by the screw I, causing the spring to resist the atmospheric pressure under the lower diaphragm to any desired degree. Thus the pressure can be regulated exactly as desired, and can also be reduced below the power of the exhaust. It does not matter how great or irregular the suction may be through the pipe E, the pressure will always remain uniform, and the same in the pipe F, and at whatever degree it is set by the spring I.

To apply pressure by a pump instead of vacuum the branch pipe K (shown in Fig. 1) is removed, uncovering the opening 0, and a longer pipe, K, Fig. 2, is applied, connecting the opening (I with the pipe F in the same manner. The spring lis adjusted to the desired pressure, and the pump is then operated, forcing the fluid through the main pipe E. The pressure in the pipe F is communicated to the lower chamber, 1), through the branch pipe K, forcing up the diaphragm B, which in turn causes the diaphragm O to close on the valve-seat and cut off the pressure. The air as it is compressed in chamber a passes out through the opening 0. The action on the diaphragm B is exactly the same as that of the vacuum, and only requires a change of the branch pipes.

This device is a secondary pressure regulator, the primary being connected with the pump. It is applicable to many different uses, such as regulating the pressure of the gases in beer-casks, equalizing the pressure in forcing liquids, &c. Where there is a series of casks to draw from, as many pressure-regulators may be used as there are casks, one for each cask; and since each regulator can be set to regulate the pressure independent of the others, the pressure in the different casks can be varied. This may be necessary in raising liquids to different elevations or in grading the pressure to the strength of various casks. In such cases each regulator is to be gaged to its cash, and operates independently of the others; but in ordinary uses for regulating the pressure of gas in beer-casks only one regulator is used for the whole series of casks, and it equalizes the pressure in all of them.

Having described myinvention, whatIelaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Iatent, is

1. In a pressure-regulator, the combination, with a case or cylinder having an induction and eduction pipe and a valve-seat connected with the pipes, of two flexible diaphragms connected by a positive connection, the upper one resting under the valve-seat and closing the same when moved upward, a barrel attached to or connected with the lower diaphragm, a spring resting inside of the barrel and bearing down on the same, and a screw for regulating the tension of the spring, as set forth.

2. In a pressure-regulator, the combination of a case or cylinder provided with induction and eduction pipes, a va1ve;seat in the pipes, two flexible diaphragms connected by a positive connection, and dividing the cylinder into two chambers, openings or ports being made into the two chambers, and a branch pipe on one side connecting one of the openings with the main pipes above, the other chamber communicating with the open air, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the cylinder or case A, the induction and eduction pipes E F, the valve-seat f, the diaphragms B (J, positive connection G, branch pipe K, the barrel H, spring I, and regulatingscrew I, all arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CASPER PFAUDLER.

Witnesses:

J. S. BROWN, A. S. BROWN. 

